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Safe and secure handling, spillage and disposal of COVID-19 vaccines

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Topics: COVID-19 vaccineService advice and planning

Guidance on safe and secure handling, spillage and disposal of COVID-19 vaccines

This article forms part of a series
  1. Managing COVID-19 Vaccines: Guidance and SOPs
    1. Ordering, receiving and storing COVID-19 vaccines
    2. Transporting COVID-19 vaccines
    3. Safe and secure handling, spillage and disposal of COVID-19 vaccines
    4. Moving COVID-19 vaccines legally within the NHS
    5. Preparing Comirnaty 30 micrograms (XBB.1.5) vaccine
    6. Preparing Comirnaty 10 (XBB.1.5) ready to use vaccine
    7. Preparing Comirnaty 3 (THREE) (XBB.1.5) concentrate vaccine
    8. Preparing Spikevax (XBB.1.5) vaccine

Safe handling

No special staff safety precautions are needed for handling the vaccines. In the event of skin contact with the vaccines, wash with soap and water.  Follow the usual local procedures for First Aid in the event of splashes into the eyes or needlestick injuries.

Vaccine security

Sites must ensure that vaccines are stored securely at all points between receipt and use or disposal. All waste must be handled in such a way as to prevent theft and misuse both on site and after removal from the site. See below for more information about disposal.

Dealing with spillages

Sites should be prepared to deal with spillages of vaccines. SPS has produced a general SOP for dealing with spillages which may be adapted for local use.

The attachment is presented in Word to enable adaptation locally, or as reference source to check that existing local procedures are robust and comprehensive. Within the SOP, red text indicates where detail is to be added locally.

Attachments

Disposing of COVID-19 Vaccines

Discard empty, part-used or waste vaccine vials, and used syringes, into the clinical or medicinal waste stream according to normal local waste management procedures.

Deface outer cartons using permanent black marker pens, and discard via the general waste stream.

Update history

  1. Removed signpost to NHSE waste disposal document as this is no longer current.
  1. Page reviewed and up to date for Autumn 2023 campaign
  1. Attachment SOP HCV 7 updated following launch of VidPrevtyn Beta. Now states defaced cartons may be disposed of via general waste stream.
  1. Published